LAX flights delayed as nation's winter storms snarl air traffic

LOS ANGELES - Winter storms pummeled much of the Midwest, South and Northeast with rain and snow, snarling air traffic and creating flight delays from coast to coast -- including Los Angeles International Airport.

Takeoff delays grew today and caused frustration for travelers departing LAX on the second busiest travel day of the year, according to Marshall Lowe of Los Angeles World Airways.

As of noon, LAX was reporting takeoff delays of more than an hour for flights bound for Newark, and to New York's Kennedy International. Flights to Philadelphia are being delayed by more than three-and-a-half hours.

No flights are being allowed to depart LAX for New York's LaGuardia or Dallas-Ft. Worth International before 12:30 p.m. PST.

Other cities were also affected. Lowe urges caution as holiday travelers head home, and urged them to contact their airlines for delays and possible cancellations.